Passenger Comfort

Have any of you come from a cruiser to a VFR? How was your other half (wife/husband) on the transition going from the back of the cruiser to the viffer. My in-laws best freinds live about 1-1/2 hours away in Sandusky Ohio and that trip is taken usually a couple weekends a month. I don't know if my better half can handle being on the back of a VFR that long. I guess time will tell. I know that risers change the riders position to a more upright position, will it also change the passengers position? I would have to guess that it would but I have never done it so I don't know for sure. Thanks.

 

I came from a Harley Softail Deluxe, setup with a backrest and wide seat for the wife. She absolutely, without a doubt let me know that she will NOT ride behind me on the VFR. Her complaint is legitimate.

I put heli bars on the VFR, but I still lean quite a bit forward. She has no comfortable way to grab onto me when I'm in a lean, and the rear grab bar position for the passenger is very uncomfortable.

There is no comparison, the VFR is NOT a comfortable two up ride for any distance. To be frank, the difference is so profound, that I'm not sure that I'll keep the VFR, as much as I enjoy riding it I also enjoy having the wife with me even if it's only an occasional ride for her. Makes the VFR less useful if I can't take it with me for an hour and a half ride. I could ride on the Harley for hours and she was perfectly happy.

Another issue, at least for me, is the long reach to the ground. The Harley was very low, under 25 inches. I could get both feet down flat easily, and that made her comfortable as well. Now with her on the back, I'm pretty careful about where I plant my feet, since the reach is at the limit of my 30 inch inseam.

Final point - the passenger seat for the VFR is pretty high in the air, and the front windshield doesn't provide much wind protection for the passenger. So even if I'm not being buffeted, she is, and it gets pretty tiring for anything over a half hour ride.

Just my opinion, you may find it works for you, but it doesn't for me.

 

Thanks for the info lencap. Personal experience helps tremendously when searching for a bike or any purchase in that matter. You all have been a very big help in making my decision, although not final. Thanks.

 

Flybub - You're welcome. One thing I forgot, was the leg position for the passenger. It is very tight and her legs will be bent far more than she may expect. Try it out before you decide. It was a BIG problem for my wife, and she's only 5'2".

Don't let me talk you out of the VFR, it's a great machine. But if you are serious about long two up rides, I do think there are better alternatives. On the other hand, with the engine revving into VTek territory and the bike at a full lean, there isn't a Harley around that will give you that same feeling - including the V-ROD (I've had that one too).

My wife preferred being a passenger on my Valkyrie, Moto Guzzi California EV, and tolerated the BMW R1100R for up to an hour or so. The Harley was good for two-three hours at a shot, but beyond two hours depended on the weather - it was her second favorite behind the Valkyrie (incredibly smooth six cylinder engine, tons of torque, never had to shift, never felt strained. Big comfortable back seat, good foot position, protected by windshield). The Moto Guzzi was surprisingly comfortable, and fun for a cruiser - lots of ground clearance, but the engine was big and heavy, not a lot of revs.

Of the twins, the BMW felt like it would run forever, but it sounded like a sewing machine - not much personality. The Moto Guzzi had a "soul" - lots of character and easy to ride. The Harley isn't for everyone, but if it works for you there is little that competes with it - regardless of the bashing the bike flat out works well - real steel and chrome, nothing plastic, and classic looks combined with the easiest riding position of the bunch. I'm only 5'7, you may feel differently if you are taller.

She didn't like the sport bikes at all, and considers the VFR a sport bike.

By the way we're over 110 years old combined, the results would be different 20 years ago, but not by much for a long ride. She has told me that if I expect her to ride with me in the future, a Harley "bagger" is probably the answer - all day comfortable, low seat height, windshield protection, and comfortable foot location supported by a real backrest.

Getting old beats the alternative, but not by a bunch on a sport bike.

Be well, enjoy whatever you get, and ride it for all it's worth.

 

The girls I've ridden with never really complained much except for the short rear peg height and not being able to see over me . I'm 6'4 so I get the jist of the wind and since i can sit up straighter there's plenty to hold on to. Not to mention, I have a Givi top case with backrest which helps too if they're nervous about holding onto you or the grabrails...either way no big complaints if it's under 2hrs or 200 miles...then again we're in our twenties .

IMO, the VFR is the best bang for your buck if you're going to do more solo riding than two up...if you're going to be doing dedicated two up you might want to look for something slightly bigger with more room and comfort. It all comes at a cost though. VFR solo = great fun, bigger bike solo=not so much fun.

 

I think Soundmaster says it all...u want a sportbike that can handle a passenger??.then .u are down to the vfr and the sprint st, and some $$ Europeans. Otherwise get a st11/13, connie,fj, but they sure arnt a vfr for solo..


and a meanstreak?? I had one, hopeless for 2.....has no seat back there..

!! most cruisers suck for the pillion. narrow hard things, made for style.

In the end it will depend more on the girl, and having a backrest...u need both to make it work! without one or the other forget it....

good luck!!

 

Went to the stealership yesterday evening and sat on a few bikes. The first was an 08 VFR, the wife hated it She said there is no way she is going to be comfortable for more than a half hour on it. She's 5'8" and all legs so she was pretty crammed. The also had an 04 Mean Streak with a Mustang dual touring seat and passenger backrest. She was very comfy on it. The salesman even let me take it out for about 15 min and she had no complaints I was comfy as well. I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and buy both the MS and the VFR The search continues....